TUVA TOURS

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PLEASE NOTE WE ONLY BOOK THESE ADD-ONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR TRANS-SIBERIAN TOURS

Tuva is usually overlooked in favour of Mongolia which can offer a similar style of travel experience. however, for those who aren’t taking the Trans-Mongolian route Tuva can provide a good introduction to the ancient nomadic cultures of Central Asia and the Steppe. The start and finish point for a trip to Tuva is Krasnoyarsk and a 2 night tour is the minimum amount of time you need not including overnight train travel from and back to Krasnoyarsk. Contact us with any questions you have.

Consider visiting for the Nadym National Festival (mid-August) or the Ustuu-Khuree Music Festival during the second week of July.

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DAY 1 - Arrive Abakan

Transfer to the Yurt Camp for Stunning Scenery, Tea Ceremony & Throat Singing

Early arrival by train in Abakan – the capital of Khakassian Republic. Transfer to the yurt camp where you stay the next 2 nights. The thick felt yurts are built in the Tuvan style and furnished with wooden furniture and basic washing facilities. Free time to explore the beautiful Biy-Khem valley on foot or relax in the afternoon.

In the evening a traditional Tuvan dinner tea ceremony. During the ceremony you learn different ways of making Tuvan tea with milk and salt, the latter unique to nomadic people across Central Asia and Mongolia. There will also be a performance of traditional throat singing called “khoomei” around a bonfire. Khoomei” is the much practiced ability of the Tuvan people to emit two or three sounds of different tone simultaneously and to sustain that same sound for 25-30 seconds without taking a breath.

MEALS: Lunch & Dinner at the Yurt Camp.

OVERNIGHT: Yurt Camp.

DAY 2 - Kyzyl

Kyzyl, Capital of Tuva, Rivers, Temples, Museum & Meet a Shaman Back at Camp

Day trip to Kyzyl, the capital city of Tuva and considered a geographic centre of Asia located not far from the junction of the Biy-Khem (Big Yenisey) and Ka-Khem (Small Yenisey) rivers from where the famous Yenisey river flows on north. Visit a Buddhist temple where you may hear the sermon from a Lama and a Shaman who will give you an insight into their traditions, rituals and skills.

We also visit the National Museum of Tuva, the Drum of Wishes and a mineral spring called “Beavers” before returning to the yurt camp to relax before dinner. This evening the Kamlaniye of Shamans is demonstrated and signifies communication with spirits, a genuine magical rite near the fire, accompanied by the long-drawn-out sounds of the drum and quite an experience before turning in for the night!

MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner at the Yurt Camp.

OVERNIGHT: Yurt Camp.

DAY 3 - Depart Abakan

Return to Abakan for Museum & “Garden of Dreams’ Visit Before Departing

Return to Abakan with a visit to the national Khakas Regional Museum where ancient stone monuments are exhibited. Local people believe that some of these stones still have great spiritual power. Learn about the history of this region and of Abakan, its foundation and fascinating legends. Also visit the Republican museum with its outstanding ethnographic collections, including clothes, ornamentation and trappings of indigenous population and shamans. Finish at the unique park “Garden of dreams” – a surreal experience and perhaps an indication of how the Tuvans see the rest of the world! After the tour a transfer to the station for the train back to Krasnoyarsk.